C+C Tennessee Discussion Guide
Text: Hebrews 5:11–6:12
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Summary
This passage confronts us with an uncomfortable but necessary truth: spiritual growth is not optional in the Christian life. Using the image of milk vs. solid food, it distinguishes between believers who are still stuck on the basics of the faith and those who are progressing toward maturity. The core insight here is that healthy things grow, and a genuine relationship with Jesus will naturally produce spiritual maturity, discernment, and fruitfulness.
The text lays out foundational doctrines: repentance from dead works and faith in God, instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. These are essential foundations, but they are not the finish line. Believers are to build on these truths rather than continually re-laying them.
A sober warning follows. Some people can be deeply exposed to the things of God – enlightened, tasting the heavenly gift, sharing in the Holy Spirit, experiencing God’s word and his power – and yet still ultimately reject Christ and fall away. This is not about genuine believers losing salvation, but about people who have been around the life of the church without ever truly surrendering to Jesus. Their eventual rejection exposes that their faith was never real in the first place.
Yet the passage also gives strong encouragement. God sees and remembers the love and service his people show to one another. Genuine faith produces real fruit and perseveres with faith and patience. Rather than staying spiritually sluggish, believers are urged to imitate those who inherit God’s promises and to keep moving toward maturity in every part of life: what they believe, how they live by the Spirit, and what they hope for in the future.
Key Takeaways
Discussion Questions
Practical Applications
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Summary
This passage confronts us with an uncomfortable but necessary truth: spiritual growth is not optional in the Christian life. Using the image of milk vs. solid food, it distinguishes between believers who are still stuck on the basics of the faith and those who are progressing toward maturity. The core insight here is that healthy things grow, and a genuine relationship with Jesus will naturally produce spiritual maturity, discernment, and fruitfulness.
The text lays out foundational doctrines: repentance from dead works and faith in God, instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. These are essential foundations, but they are not the finish line. Believers are to build on these truths rather than continually re-laying them.
A sober warning follows. Some people can be deeply exposed to the things of God – enlightened, tasting the heavenly gift, sharing in the Holy Spirit, experiencing God’s word and his power – and yet still ultimately reject Christ and fall away. This is not about genuine believers losing salvation, but about people who have been around the life of the church without ever truly surrendering to Jesus. Their eventual rejection exposes that their faith was never real in the first place.
Yet the passage also gives strong encouragement. God sees and remembers the love and service his people show to one another. Genuine faith produces real fruit and perseveres with faith and patience. Rather than staying spiritually sluggish, believers are urged to imitate those who inherit God’s promises and to keep moving toward maturity in every part of life: what they believe, how they live by the Spirit, and what they hope for in the future.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus grows believers into mature disciples - Spiritual life is meant to progress from immaturity to maturity, not to stay static.
- Foundations matter, but they are meant to be built upon - The goal is not to move on from Christ, but to go deeper into Christ by building onthe basics of the faith
- Genuine faith both perseveres and bears fruit - Those who truly belong to Jesus are kept by God, show spiritual fruit in their life, and will be sustained to the end. However, being around Christian community, language, and experiences is not the same thing as being saved.
Discussion Questions
- The author of Hebrews diagnoses his readers with "dull hearing" (5:11). What does this mean? Can you identify any areas where you've become spiritually "lazy" or complacent?
- What is the difference between "milk" and "solid food" in our faith? What would moving to the next level look like for you?
- The passage talks about people who "taste" but don't truly receive. What's the difference between experiencing the benefits of Christian community and genuinely trusting in Christ for salvation?
- If spiritual maturity means being able to teach others the basics of faith, who in your life could you be discipling or sharing the gospel with right now?
- How does understanding that our salvation is secure in Christ free us to pursue spiritual growth without fear or performance-based anxiety?
- Using the four marks of a disciple (believing, becoming, belonging, building), which area feels weakest in your walk with Jesus, and what is one concrete step you can take to grow in it?
Practical Applications
- Pursue intentional growth in one key area - Identify one area where you are spiritually “stuck” and make a simple, concrete plan for the next month to grow in that area.
- Identify your audience - Prayerfully identify one person in your “front row” (family, friend, coworker, neighbor, newer believer) and decide one way you will intentionally encourage their spiritual growth this month.
- Get the workbook - Pick up the "Four Marks of a Disciple" workbook mentioned in the sermon and commit to working through it